I thought this summer was going to be pretty unspectacular. All my exciting plans didn't work out: I couldn't go to the conferences I wished, I couldn't go to Ireland, some of my friends went abroad, etc. Instead I "only" had two weeks in Sweden to look forward to and a lot of work.
But I was very wrong to feel disappointed. This summer has been full of exciting moments, intense experiences, laughter and amazing people. It seems that every day has new surprises waiting for me and when I look back from time to time I realize that I have been walking on roads I didn't expect to take and have ended up in places I didn't expect to be.
I want to thank all the people who have made this summer such an amazing time for me! Who have laughed with me, partied with me, cried with me, caught crayfish with me :), supported me, helped me, worked with me and challenged me! And especially those who were there for me when I felt down! Thank you!
I'm curious to see, where this road will take me next...
Only one more day and then I'll be heading back to Switzerland. Sweden has been amazing and I could finally relax and sleep, sleep, sleep... I have even managed to read some books, write down some stories, visit some tourist attractions and have long walks in the countryside. The best thing were my friends coming over to Sweden! And to meet some of my relatives again.
Coming to Sweden is still very confusing to me and I'm not sure if I will ever manage to find some inner peace in this country.
On one side, it feels like coming back to my roots. I have so much in Sweden, that is important to me and that makes me belong to this place:
- My relatives: My aunt visited us this summer and I could meet my god child again (Carin, the cutest girl on Earth) and her mother, who is the daugther of the cousing of my mother (hahaha... how to you say that in English?) and of course the cousin of my mother as well, who has so many stories to tell. We have a very strong bond between us and I so much enjoy hearing about my grandfather and his adoption and how his sisters contacted him... And so on and so on...
- Our houses and the countryside/ the nature: Being there feels like being at home. I spent almost all my childhood summers in those houses and I feel very relaxed in their beautiful surroundings. It happens that I go for a walk in the forest and disappear for some hours or that I feel the urge to walk to the closest church and walk around the churchyard for a while. There is so much history and I feel like the places are talking to me, wanting to share their stories.
Then, on the other hand, when I meet Swedish people (especially young people), I feel like we are not speaking the same language (my Swedish is quite perfect :)).
Of course, I have taken over a lot from the Swedish "values/culture" of my parents. But I notice a difference between me and the Swedish people. I cannot put it into words, because it's not a matter of values or culture, but more a way of looking at things.
It's weird, because from the outside I fit. I notice how Swedish I actually look like when I'm in Sweden. But I feel like I'm wearing a costume and on the inside I'm in the wrong place.
One example was when I wanted to rent a DVD and the guy asked me for my "personnummer" (Person number). Everyone is Sweden has a number and most people know it by heart. I told him, that I didn't have a "personnummer" and he looked at me like I came from a different planet.
The guy: Everyone has a "personnummer"
Me: No, I don't have one, I live abroad.
The guy: But you are Swedish?
Me: Yes.
The guy: Then you have a "personnummer"
So I called my parents and got to know, that I actually have a "personnummer", which I gave to the guy so that I could rent the DVD.
Maybe I'm just expecting too much, but as everyone expects me to be "Swedish", it feels weird realizing that I'm not. I know that my identity is not only being "Swedish" or "Swiss" or "blond" or a "Student", but sometimes it would be easier to really know where I belong.
Carin and me
Me and Sarah, buying "modern" traditional Swedish shoes :)
Sarah says: Nooooo... I don't wanna leave. :( Sara says: Nooo... I don't want Sarah to leave me alone with the Vikings... Sarah says: Yeah, the Viking-tourguide this morning looked threatening. Sara says: But he didn't scare off as many people as we did yesterday at Ales Stenar. Sarah says: Yes, our singing was terrible. *row row row your boat, gently down the stream* Sara says: And our Yoga-Positions drew some attention as well. Sarah says: But the pictures look nice. Sara says: Yes, some old guy was copying us. We are inspiring! :) Sarah says: Or just ridiculous... Who knows... Sara says: Maybe you should move to the gate. Sarah says: Oh right, I forgot. We are not in Spain. The plane will be on time. Sara says: Well, here our Nordic Adventure ends... :( Sarah says: *sniff* :( Sara says: Look out for the next chapter of Sarah & Sara (next time in Madrid)
Sarah says: Now I know what you meant with the mosquito bites! Sara says: Yes, but I still prefer mosquito bites to checking my emails after some days in the forest. Work seems to be multiplying while I'm away. Sarah says: (...) -> Sarah is speechless. The workload (coming in via email) is crushing her ability to think. Sara says: Breathe! We had some very relaxed days in the forest. Welcome back to reality! Sarah says: No, we still have 2 days left to recharge our batteries at your country house. Sara says: Yes, after catching crayfish, swimming in the lake and watching the stars in our forest house up in the north, we are back in Aby (south of Sweden) to visit the Vikings and the sea. Sarah says: My legs (and a...) still hurt from riding the bicycle trolley (draisine). It was fun to go as fast as possible to escape the thunderstorm. Sara says: Hejo, spann den Wagen an, seht der Wind treibt Regen uebers Land... *singing* Sarah says: ... Helan går, sjung hop faralalalalanlej... *singing* Sara says: I see, you are assimilated to Swedish culture now! Sarah says: Yes, I've learned a lot of Swedish drinking songs yesterday night at the crayfish party. Loved it! Sara says: So let's continue our journey and have a relaxed sauna evening tonight... Sarah says: Yes, I also have to finish the last Harry Potter book. Sara says: And I have to do some Spanish translations for ABB... Sarah says: Ok, then I'll do some work as well: Censoring the video- and photomaterial from the last days. ;) Sara says: We will enjoy the rest of our time here in Sweden. Sarah says: Can it get any better? We already saw a moose this morning!
Sarah says: Finally in Paradise! Sara says: The mosquito bites are killing me... Sarah says: Salmon, Sauna and Sara... What more can you ask for? Sara says: Maybe some Fenistil, to fight the itching. :) Sarah says: Watch out! There might be a moose crossing the street! Sara says: Or was it two criminal boys on the loose? Sarah says: What is Rene doing here? Sara says: A Mexican lost in Scandinavia. Sarah says: He´s brilliant and so hot! Sara says: Too bad he had to go to his "conference" Sarah says: He is going to miss the drinking in the forest Sara says: But there will be other boys to watch while sleeping Sarah says: Or we could pet Erik again! (just for your information: he´s a cat) Sara says: Or hug the stones! Sarah says: But first we will go for lunch now! Sara says: And then visit the longest shopping street in Europe! Sarah says: Sounds like fun! Sara says: Of course! There is a party in Sweden´s pants (see video below)! (even if we are in Denmark at the moment) Sarah says: They are all blonde anyways! Sara says: Hear, hear!
Yes, we are doing fine! We will keep you updated about our adventures up in the North... Yes, this text contains a lot of insiders. For further information: Read the blog! :)
So, I'm off to Sweden, finally... Well, ok, my suitcase is still not packed and I need to send some more emails and ... But, soon I'm sitting on the train... Ok, not that soon... First I will have to spend a few hours at work... Well, anyway... Here the most random video ever, so that you can learn a bit more about our culture! :) Enjoy!
